12
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
Just a quick teaser. Unfortunately, it appears that Illinois has been annexed by Minnesota. While it's kind of humorous to see people cutting what looks like mountain passes for the sidewalks into the mounds of snow piled on every street corner, it doesn't make for a conducive environment for working on my bike or riding
|
Ossessionato
MP3 500, Ducati ST4s, Honda Silver Wing
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2649 Location: Roseburg, OR |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
Just a little more info. Here's the link to where I got them on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291031619717 Looks like they're on sale right now, too, so you can get them for under $100. The eyes are narrower than the stock shocks, so you'll need some sort of way to fill the space. I went to Farm & Fleet and got a handful of 3/8" washers that fit practically perfectly over the stock bolt. (I know, I'm mixing SAE and Metric, but there's not a whole lot of choice from metrically-challenged American hardware stores...) |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
heinlein wrote: I hope you have another one too. Also, I had to make trip 1 to the hardware store to get the aforementioned washers. I'm kind of glad I didn't put it all together then, anyway, because as OAD and I looked at the pic, we think I might be able to turn the shock around, so it can still be slid up out of the way when changing tires instead of having to be removed every time. We'll see... Mark |
UTC
Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22411 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn |
|
|
UTC
quote
this shock is a great alternative for those who also want to lower their scoot some as you can get them in a shorter length as well.
|
|
UTC
quote
Nice find!!! Thanks for sharing the link where to buy it as well!!
Now, is it my glasses or your tire has passed by thousands of miles the replacement time?!!?!??! Holly...Hope your not driving in wet conditions! |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
canonballrt wrote: Now, is it my glasses or your tire has passed by thousands of miles the replacement time?!!?!??! Holly...Hope your not driving in wet conditions! |
|
UTC
quote
There has been plenty of noise about these Chinese knock-offs on various bike forums over the last few years, but nothing definitive appears to have been posted about their performance.
https://www.google.com.au/#q=rfy+shocks+review The general view seems to be that the quality of the units are suspect, although some fettling by someone who knows what they're doing can yield good results; and hey...even if they turn out to be rubbish, at least they are sub$100 rubbish, not $300+ rubbish, so they might be worth a shot I' looking for replacements, so I will eagerly await your evaluation. |
|
UTC
quote
Fastenal Store
CubsKing99 wrote: Just a little more info. Here's the link to where I got them on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/291031619717 Looks like they're on sale right now, too, so you can get them for under $100. The eyes are narrower than the stock shocks, so you'll need some sort of way to fill the space. I went to Farm & Fleet and got a handful of 3/8" washers that fit practically perfectly over the stock bolt. (I know, I'm mixing SAE and Metric, but there's not a whole lot of choice from metrically-challenged American hardware stores...) |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
Re: Fastenal Store
Rank Bajin wrote: You should be able to locate a Fastenal store in your area that could take care of your metric requirements. https://www.fastenal.com/web/locations There isn't one in my town, but there are several in the Quad Cities, making them about 1/2 hour away. In this case, I really don't care if they're an exact fit or not, since I'm just using them as shims. Plus they're probably cheaper at Farm & Fleet at $1.50 a pound... I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I really need Metric, though. Thanks! Mark |
UTC
Ossessionato
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065 Location: Happy Valley, Oregon |
|
Ossessionato
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065 Location: Happy Valley, Oregon |
UTC
quote
Is there a secific advantage to using these? Or are they just a replacement for worn OEM shocks?
. . . . |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
BravoTwoFour wrote: Is there a secific advantage to using these? Or are they just a replacement for worn OEM shocks? I've only about about 20 miles on the new shocks, so I really can't give a good review yet. Hopefully soon... They certainly don't work worse than stock so far, for what that's worth... |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
Last weekend, I put about 360 miles on the scoot. So, after an extended time on the bike, what are my impressions on the new shocks?
Well, pretty much the same as before. I'm still not sure what I think about them. At the very least they're no worse than stock. But are they an improvement? I'm just not sure... It's entirely possible that they just need to be adjusted more. That could be pre-load or air pressure, but I'm out of my area of expertise there... I think what we really need is someone who has used other replacement shocks (Hagon, Bitubo) to compare and contrast them. |
|
UTC
quote
I recently read on an old bike forum that these RFY units are a straight knock-off of Ohlins units. It was suggested in one of the posts that a competent suspension shop with Ohlins experienc should be able to rebuild/fettle these cheap Chinese units to almost equal the real things.
ANy experience/comments??? |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
Diver3284 wrote: I recently read on an old bike forum that these RFY units are a straight knock-off of Ohlins units. It was suggested in one of the posts that a competent suspension shop with Ohlins experienc should be able to rebuild/fettle these cheap Chinese units to almost equal the real things. ANy experience/comments??? OAD, I know you got a set of these for the Cannonball bike. Have you gotten a chance to put them through their paces yet? What are your impressions of them? I've done another 300 miles, but still don't have anything to add to what I said before... Mark |
|
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
felix168 wrote: are the 13.5" shocks too short for a MP3 400 or the 14.5" ones better. If it was me, I'd go with 14" or 14.5" ones to be safe. That's basically what I have now, with my 16" shocks with about a 2" drop with the lowering brackets. |
|
UTC
quote
CubsKing99 wrote: felix168 wrote: are the 13.5" shocks too short for a MP3 400 or the 14.5" ones better. If it was me, I'd go with 14" or 14.5" ones to be safe. That's basically what I have now, with my 16" shocks with about a 2" drop with the lowering brackets. And the reason why I asked about the 13.5" shocks was because I could find 16", 14.5", 13.5", 12.5" and 12" shocks, and 14" just weren't available. Anyway, I supposed if getting the 14.5" shocks which can yield a 1.5" drop, I shall be fine with that. |
UTC
Ossessionato
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065 Location: Happy Valley, Oregon |
|
Ossessionato
'09 Mp3-500 - Gone Now
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2065 Location: Happy Valley, Oregon |
UTC
quote
felix168 wrote: CubsKing99 wrote: felix168 wrote: are the 13.5" shocks too short for a MP3 400 or the 14.5" ones better. If it was me, I'd go with 14" or 14.5" ones to be safe. That's basically what I have now, with my 16" shocks with about a 2" drop with the lowering brackets. And the reason why I asked about the 13.5" shocks was because I could find 16", 14.5", 13.5", 12.5" and 12" shocks, and 14" just weren't available. Anyway, I supposed if getting the 14.5" shocks which can yield a 1.5" drop, I shall be fine with that. .... |
|
UTC
quote
BravoTwoFour wrote: felix168 wrote: CubsKing99 wrote: felix168 wrote: are the 13.5" shocks too short for a MP3 400 or the 14.5" ones better. If it was me, I'd go with 14" or 14.5" ones to be safe. That's basically what I have now, with my 16" shocks with about a 2" drop with the lowering brackets. And the reason why I asked about the 13.5" shocks was because I could find 16", 14.5", 13.5", 12.5" and 12" shocks, and 14" just weren't available. Anyway, I supposed if getting the 14.5" shocks which can yield a 1.5" drop, I shall be fine with that. .... |
Hooked
2013 Honda NC700XD; 2014 Honda Forza 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 302 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
UTC
quote
I found this thread on line about a rebuild/tune up service for the RYF shocks if any one is interested.
http://chrislivengood.net/wp/rfy-shocks-rebuild-service/ |
|
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
|
UTC
quote
just ordered a pair of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-5-Shocks-Absorbers-Eye-to-Eye-Mount-One-PAIR-Expedited-Shipping-/291031612813?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c2d5fd8d&vxp=mtr Let's hope they will work well for my 5'6" figure |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
UTC
quote
CubsKing99 wrote: That should work just fine. In fact, I got mine from the same seller. |
Molto Verboso
MP3 500 'JAZZ'
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1211 Location: Not on my MP3 ;( - Folsom, CA. - |
UTC
quote
felix168 wrote: just ordered a pair of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-5-Shocks-Absorbers-Eye-to-Eye-Mount-One-PAIR-Expedited-Shipping-/291031612813?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c2d5fd8d&vxp=mtr Let's hope they will work well for my 5'6" figure |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
felix168 wrote: Did you get additional 10mm eye diameter bushings or you just used the 12mm that came installed on the shocks? |
|
UTC
quote
mvtroiano wrote: felix168 wrote: just ordered a pair of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-5-Shocks-Absorbers-Eye-to-Eye-Mount-One-PAIR-Expedited-Shipping-/291031612813?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c2d5fd8d&vxp=mtr Let's hope they will work well for my 5'6" figure By the way, just so you know, you can probably order the 14" ones and they can add about 10mm in length from the adjustment on the bottom if so desire. Only drawback with the 14", according to the seller's description of the item was that the max loads were 450lbs per pair, instead of the 650 that I ordered. These shocks don't really have instructions included, so I will have to figure which way to turn to adjust the spring tension from the top. It says something about a 20mm length adjustment from there. ⚠️ Last edited by felix168 on UTC; edited 2 times
|
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
If you can find (or make) real spacers, that'd be better than having a stack of washers. (Or, as I did it, two stacks, one on each side of the eye.) It's really hard to get the widths right and then line it up and put a bolt through a stack of washers, an eye, and then another stack of washers...
|
|
UTC
quote
CubsKing99 wrote: If you can find (or make) real spacers, that'd be better than having a stack of washers. (Or, as I did it, two stacks, one on each side of the eye.) It's really hard to get the widths right and then line it up and put a bolt through a stack of washers, an eye, and then another stack of washers... http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Washer-Plated-Finish-Metric/dp/B009OK50UM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400304653&sr=8-1&keywords=m10+washers If possible, I'd like to find something in that size but made out of rubber. I found some but they're in UK. Oh well, I'm sure someone carries them in the U.S. |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
Another update:
OAD took a look these on my bike at AmeriVespa. We're pretty sure that the springs on the 16" (400mm) springs are WAY over-sprung. The springs are rated for 650 pounds. When you push down on it, they barely move. The shocks he has (or had) on his Cannonball bike were 340mm and used a thinner spring. I believe it's 7mm thick and supports about 450 pounds, but I don't know for sure. Hopefully, he'll take a caliper and measure them for us (hint, hint...) Mark |
|
UTC
quote
And I will post a little update on my project... have been busy so I didn't even have time to finish it.
Went to Ace Hardware and got some rubber washers (12mm inside diameter) and stainless steel washers (30mm OD, 10mm) for the spacers. Since there is a 10mm gap that needs to be filled, I have decided to use one stainless steel washer and one rubber washer on each side of the eyes. The rubber washers would all be trimmed to 30mm on the outside diameter (which I have already done but they didn't look like perfect circles ). ⚠️ Last edited by felix168 on UTC; edited 1 time
|
|
UTC
quote
CubsKing99 wrote: Another update: OAD took a look these on my bike at AmeriVespa. We're pretty sure that the springs on the 16" (400mm) springs are WAY over-sprung. The springs are rated for 650 pounds. When you push down on it, they barely move. The shocks he has (or had) on his Cannonball bike were 340mm and used a thinner spring. I believe it's 7mm thick and supports about 450 pounds, but I don't know for sure. Hopefully, he'll take a caliper and measure them for us (hint, hint...) Mark |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
Yep, it's severely over-sprung. I just did a few measurements and the results shocked me.
Now, before I give the numbers, I will warn you they're probably not exact. I was working by myself and using a measuring tape for sewing, so I don't think I got my numbers dead center of the eyes every time. But they're good enough to go by. Up on the center stand, my shocks measure 405 mm. Off the center stand, resting on the rear wheel, it measures 403 or 404 mm. Yes, you read that right. The weight of the bike only causes it to sag 1-2 mm. With 68mm of travel, that's about 1.5% to 3% sag. I put my helmet in the top box, laid a new 50 LB bag of salt sitting in my garage on top of the box, and draped my jacket over that. Then I laid across the passenger seat so I could reach down and measure the length. I'm about 200 LBs. With that weight, as far back on the bike as I could get it, my shock length was about 395 mm. That works out to 14.7% sag. In general, it's recommended that there should be about 30% sag in the shocks. I'm seeing less than half of that. After I got my numbers, I noticed/remembered that I'd adjusted the adjustment ring of the shocks right after I'd first put them on while trying to find the sweet spot. It didn't seem to have made any difference, so I had left them alone. For the sake of completeness, I just went out, took them all the way to the top (took all the pre-load out) and did my measurements again. They were almost exactly the same, but about 3 mm longer. 408, 406, 398. I don't have a comparison to the stock shocks. If someone still has stock shocks on and could do the same testing, I'd appreciate it. I've still got my stock shocks, so I may try it if I have time. But it'd be a lot easier for someone who didn't have to remount shocks, and it only takes a couple minutes... Oh, something else of note. I busted out my digital caliper for the first time and took measurements of the thickness of the springs. The spring thickness on the 400 mm RFY shocks is between 8.4 and 8.5 mm. On the stock shocks, it's between 6.5 and 6.6 mm. Mark |
UTC
Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22411 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn |
|
|
UTC
quote
cubs those numbers would be what I expected after seeing them and feeling how stiff they were at NOLA.
|
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
Yeah. Like I said, my numbers may not be exact, but they're in the right ballpark. And they definitely show those shocks aren't optimal, at least without some modifications.
I talked to LM15 on the phone today. He just got a set of the sames 16" ones as I did in yesterday. He's got a place nearby that does a lot of sales and work on racing bikes as well as shock rebuilds. He's going to take them over and see what they can do to make them better. Mark |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
|
OP
Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711 Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area) |
UTC
quote
OK, so I measured the stock shocks. It measured 410 on the center stand and 380 loaded down.
|
|
UTC
quote
felix168, where in CA are you?
I'm considering replacing shocks on my 500 so it's a smoother ride going over bumps and pot holes here in LA. Just don't know where to start... |
Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.